Group education plus micronutrient supplements to reduce anemia in newly married women in Nepal

Reducing Anemia Among Young Preconception Women in Nepal Through a Group Household Norm and Micronutrient Supplementation Intervention

NA · University of California, San Francisco · NCT06810440

This project will try group education with husbands and mothers-in-law plus daily multiple micronutrient supplements to reduce anemia in newly married, non-pregnant women under 25 in Nepal.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment2100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 25 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco (other)
Locations1 site (Kathmandu)
Trial IDNCT06810440 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study pairs the Sumadhur group intervention—educational sessions for newly married women, their husbands, and mothers-in-law—with daily multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) to improve iron and other nutrient status. It enrolls triads where the woman is under 25, married within the past four months, never pregnant, and co-residing with her mother-in-law, and excludes women with severe anemia (hemoglobin <8.0 g/dL). Hemoglobin is measured by fingerprick Hemocue at enrollment and participants are followed to monitor supplement adherence and changes in micronutrient status. The combined approach aims to shift household norms and practices while providing supplements to increase preconception nutrient stores.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are newly married women under 25 who are not pregnant, married within the last four months, living with their mother-in-law, willing to participate along with their husband and mother-in-law, and agreeable to blood draws.

Not a fit: Women over 25, currently or previously pregnant, married more than four months, not co-residing with a mother-in-law, severely anemic (Hb <8.0 g/dL), unwilling to participate or to have blood drawn, or whose husbands plan to migrate in the next six months are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could raise preconception hemoglobin and micronutrient levels, reducing maternal anemia and improving pregnancy and newborn outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Multiple micronutrient supplementation has improved maternal and birth outcomes in other studies, and the Sumadhur group education approach was pilot-tested locally, but combining household norms interventions with MMS at scale remains relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* the newly married couple having been married in the last four months
* women being under 25 years old
* never pregnant and not currently pregnant
* co-residing with the mother-in-law in a household as defined by sharing meals together.
* all triad-household members must also be willing to participate
* husbands must not be planning to migrate in the next 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Over 25, under 18 years old
* Currently or ever pregnant
* married more than 4 months before
* not co-residing
* not being willing to participate.
* do not consent to blood-draws
* women who are severely anemic (hemoglobin \< 8.0 g/dL) at baseline based on hemoglobin via Hemocue assessment of a fingerprick blood sample at the time of enrollment

Where this trial is running

Kathmandu

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency, Nutritional Deficiencies, Adherence, Norms, Social, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.